Pitching & Throwing / Throwing Strikes

by Chuck Hernandez

Chuck has served as bullpen coach for the California Angles in 1992, and as the pitching coach for the California Angles (1993-1996), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004-2005), and the Detroit Tigers (2006-2008). In 2009 he was the Cleveland Indians bullpen coach. He is currently the Miami Marlins pitching coach. Prior to his coaching career, Chuck played in the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox organizations from 1979 to 1983.

This video is for subscribers only. No PREVIEW is available.

Coach Chuck Hernandez shares his theory on throwing strikes as a pitcher and why it is sometimes not totally understood by young players in this segment. Throwing strikes is a physical thing as well as a mental thing, good mechanics mixed with a will to put the ball in the zone make for the best strike throwers in the game. It is often misunderstood by young pitchers when they think about throwing strikes as they need to make the hitter miss the strike. A good pitcher throws strikes wanting contact, which allows him to go later in the game making him more valuable to his team.This is Chuck Hernandez with Inside Baseball. I want to speak today about the importance of throwing strikes, and really truly throwing strikes is two-fold. It's physical and it is mental as well. There's obviously the physical aspect of having a solid delivery, which includes balance, direction, follow through, finish, arm action, all those things that are very, very important. Also, not talked about as much as the mental aspect. The ability to throw the baseball over the plate, you have to want contact from the ball. You want contact with that hitter. You want to engage. And there's a mentality to that. Sometimes we can have all the perfect mechanics in the physical gifts if we have, but when we get up and the hitter stands up there, as a pitcher we're thinking, don't let them hit it. The true art of pitching is to get the hitter to miss hit the ball and not for you to try to be missing the bat.

Coach Chuck Hernandez shares his theory on throwing strikes as a pitcher and why it is sometimes not totally understood by young players in this segment. Throwing strikes is a physical thing as well as a mental thing, good mechanics mixed with a will to put the ball in the zone make for the best strike throwers in the game. It is often misunderstood by young pitchers when they think about throwing strikes as they need to make the hitter miss the strike. A good pitcher throws strikes wanting contact, which allows him to go later in the game making him more valuable to his team.

TESTIMONIALS

"I love your site. I recommended it for so many people. Your site is invaluable for picking up good drills. Some drills can be used for ALL ages even in the MLB."

-Mike Toomey - Baseball Factory Scouting Consultant

"I show the videos to my kids and we'll watch one video 3 or 4 times. The series of videos on the site are really good and does come in handy for training purposes. The defensive play book is one of the best tools we can use. We just spent a couple of hours practice doing first section in the book. We are definitely going to continue to use that during the season."

-Jason Philips - Snellville GA 9U Coach

"What makes Inside Baseball so powerful is that it helps you focus on two different worlds – advanced instruction and also the things that we take for granted. The instruction helps you master the basics while also helping you tinker with the most intricate details in your game to help take you to the next level. Inside Baseball is a one stop shop for all the baseball instruction you need."

-Lou Pastore - Tampa FL - Little League Coach

“The access you get to some of the best minds the sport has to offer is what makes Inside Baseball so unique. Just sitting down and watching these videos and implementing them into your day-to-day routine can help make you a better player. I’d recommend Inside Baseball and their videos to anyone looking to be a better baseball player!”

-Roy Halladay - Former MLB All-Star Pitcher

"The drills and the instruction that you have presented is by far the best I've seen. This will be so good to all age groups.You have three instructors that I was privileged to coach at Tampa Catholic Chuck Hernendez, John Tamargo and Nardi Contresas - they are the best. You have 3 winners here: Good fundamentals, great people, great drills!!"

-Pete Mulry - President Peter J. Mulry Foundation

“Inside Baseball’s use of video, tools, drills and lessons are fun, new and get right to the core of what it means to be a better fielder. The coaches and the courses they teach are professional, fun and motivating to the player. I’d recommend Inside Baseball to anyone who’s serious about receiving professional instruction.”